by Sole, Linda
‘Well, well, you here,’ Lord Savage said again. ‘Come, meet my daughters…’
‘I was invited by Mr Gerald Harlow,’ Charles Savage said and glanced at his host, who was shaking his own nephew’s hand. ‘I hope I am not de trop – Gerald assured me it was open house here?’
‘You are most welcome,’ Sir Geoffrey boomed at him in delight. ‘And to think a cousin of my dearest friends…you must be doubly welcome to us, sir’
‘A second cousin only I fear,’ Charles Savage replied. ‘How do you do, sir? And the Misses Savage – Mary and Annabel I think,’ he said, his eye lighting on them. ‘You wonder at my knowing your names, but I was told much about you by a mutual friend.’
‘I did not realise you were acquainted with my neighbours?’ Lord Savage said.
‘It is Miss Suzanne Makepeace that I have the honour to know,’ Charles replied. ‘We met in Worthing when she was staying there with her aunt last summer. Gerald was also there and we all became firm friends.’
Mary perked up at once and indicated the seat beside her. She smiled in a friendly manner at the rather attractive young man and he took the seat very willingly, indulging her with more details of the visit to Worthing.
Annabel happened to glance across the room at Major Goss and was shocked at the expression she surprised in his face. He was staring at Mr Savage as if he would like to murder him. She was puzzled for surely there was not so very much to dislike in the gentleman, though she had never heard her father speak but once of his cousin, Charles’s father. She thought they had quarrelled years ago and a breech had grown between the families, but he had greeted Mr Savage in a friendly way so could have no dispute with his son.
Leaving her seat to wander over to the window, she stood staring out at the cold afternoon. The mist had become thicker and was freezing now. As someone came to stand beside her, she remarked without looking, ‘I am glad we do not have to go out again tonight.’
‘Yes, indeed. It would be most unpleasant,’ Annabel turned and smiled at Robert as he spoke. ‘It is so much more comfortable to be with friends beside a warm fire, is it not?’
She agreed, then, ‘What a surprise to see my father’s second cousin here. I had never met him before in my life, though I knew his father had died some years back – but my mother was ill at the time and my father did not go to his cousin’s funeral. He said they had not been friends while they lived and saw no point in pretending to feelings he did not have.’
‘I agree with his sentiments,’ Robert said. ‘Your father has no quarrel with the son I think?’
‘I doubt they have met more than once in their lives before this – but, taken by surprise as he was, I dare say he could not be less than welcoming. It is Christmas – and I know nothing against him?’ She gazed up at him. He hesitated and then shook his head. ‘You are certain? You may tell me in confidence, sir.’
Robert smiled. ‘I am not in the habit of telling tales, Miss Annabel. If I knew something to the gentleman’s discredit, I should deal with him myself.’
‘That sounds ominous,’ she said and laughed. ‘I think I should pity Mr Savage if he were guilty of some misdeed.’
Robert arched an elegant brow. ‘Indeed, what must you think of me? It is Christmas. I am a guest in this house, and even had I a personal quarrel with Mr Savage I should not quarrel with him while he is a guest here.’
‘I think you are hiding something from me,’ she said, and then, naively, ‘Had I known you would be here, Major Goss, I should have hemmed a kerchief and embroidered it with your initials as a gift for you, as I did for my uncles.’
‘I am sure it would have been most fine,’ he said, a teasing look in his eyes that thrilled her. ‘But, as I have no gift for you, I should have been embarrassed.’
Annabel laughed. ‘You have clearly never seen my ‘broidery, sir. I suppose ‘tis well enough but cannot compare with Mary’s.’
‘Ah, I see you find it a great chore, which means any person lucky enough to receive such a gift must know how much effort you have put into your work.’
‘I am better at knitting – if you are in need of a scarf or some…’
‘Breeches?’ he asked in a low voice and she blushed.
‘You rogue – I meant mittens,’ she vowed and laughed again, but her heart thundered in her breast and she felt an odd sensation low in her abdomen. It seemed to her that heat pooled in a very intimate part of her body and her cheeks were warm. She lowered her eyelids for modesty’s sake.
Her laughter had reached the little group by the fire and Mr Charles Savage glanced at her. She saw his look and the lift of his rather thick eyebrows and turned away, a little shiver trickling down her spine.
‘Something bothers you, Miss Annabel?’
‘No – yes,’ she said, lowering her voice. ‘I know it unkind of me but I think I do not like my father’s second cousin. Something in his eyes…it makes me feel as if he can see…through my gown.’
Robert frowned. He reached out to touch her hand. ‘You asked me a question I could not answer – but this I will say, take great care, Miss Annabel, and tell your sister the same. I do not trust Mr Savage either.’
Annabel nodded her head, looking up into his eyes once more. He would not say it, but she sensed that he did indeed know something unpleasant of the newcomer. Her throat tightened as she saw Mary nodding and smiling up at Mr Savage. She would not have her dearest sister caught in that man’s toils for the world.
‘You may not speak here, I know,’ she said. ‘Today we keep Christmas. Tomorrow we go home. Will you call on me and tell me then please? I would protect my sister if I can.’
‘She is safe enough here amongst friends, for she looks a sensible girl to me. I will call the day after tomorrow and tell you all I know…’
‘Thank you,’ Annabel said and smiled. ‘I do not think that I have yet wished you Happy Christmas, sir?’
‘Nor I you,’ he replied. ‘I think our host is dispersing his guests so that they may settle in their rooms and then change for dinner. ‘I shall take a little walk I believe, for I have something on my mind…’
Annabel nodded and he moved away, staying only to murmur something to his host.
Mary had stood up and was clearly ready to go up to the room they shared. Annabel went to her and took her hand, and they left the room together. She was conscious that Mr Savage looked at her curiously, before risking a smile. She inclined her head but did not smile. She saw his frown and realised that she had made a mistake, but did not look back as she and Mary went upstairs together, even though she knew that he and some of the other gentlemen had come out into the hall, because she could hear their laughter.
Upstairs, she glanced at Mary, who looked her usual serene self, wondering how best to open the subject of Mr Savage.
‘It is a little odd that Papa’s cousin should come here is it not?’
‘Odd?’ Mary considered. ‘Yes, perhaps. Gerald Harlow is his friend - so not too surprising I think, but strange for us when we have never met him. He is quite pleasant, Annabel – but I think it a little impolite that he should be staying so close and never bother to call on Papa.’
‘Yes, that is not what I should call proper behaviour,’ Annabel said and felt relieved as she saw her sister’s expression. ‘You did not like him then?’
‘There is nothing to dislike,’ Mary said, ‘but he spoke of Suzy in such a familiar way. She is in the habit of telling me everything, Annabel, and yet she did not mention his name once when she returned from her stay in Worthing. Do you not think that peculiar?’
‘Yes, I do. I think I should be careful what you say to him, Mary.’
‘He was asking me some questions about Suzy, which I thought impertinent – her habits, whether she rode to visit me or preferred to walk.’ Mary frowned. ‘I was vague with him and turned the subject, but I did not like it.’
‘I heard you laugh and thought…but I am glad you do not like him much, Mary, because I
think there is something…’ She shook her head. Sinister was too strong a word and yet she felt it. ‘You will see Suzy the day after tomorrow for you are engaged to dine with her family, are you not?’
‘Yes, I am,’ Mary agreed. ‘We must give no hint of any discomfort while we are guests here – but I hope that Papa will not invite Mr Savage to dine, or even worse, to stay with us.’
The sisters finding themselves in complete agreement decided to rest for half an hour before changing their gowns. While Mary took off her gown and lay on the bed, Annabel curled up on the window seat and looked out of the window. She was not in time to see Robert Goss leave the house, but she saw him return just as her maid entered with a jug of water, and sighed. She did not know why she felt so much on edge, but she was certain that Mr Savage was hiding a dark secret – one that she hoped Major Goss would reveal to her when he called.
Chapter Three
Dinner that evening was as lavish as always in Sir Geoffrey’s house, course after course of rich foods brought to table. There were small gifts by the plate of each person and everyone was very merry. When the ladies left the men to their port they were not long alone in the magnificent drawing room, for as it was Christmas, music and party games were preferred to billiards or serious gambling in the card room. The ladies were begged to play on the new and very elegant pianoforte and some of the gentlemen lent their voices to various carols and popular songs.
When this pleasure was exhausted some board games that the children might enjoy were brought out and Annabel saw Robert Goss drawn in to partner and encourage his host’s children in a noisy game of fox and hounds in competition with some of their neighbours’ youngsters.
It was late when Annabel and Mary withdrew. Annabel bid her friends and father goodnight, and went out into the hall, where she found Mr Savage. He was standing beneath a small twig of mistletoe and beckoned to her, but she merely inclined her head and passed him by. Two gentlemen had kissed her earlier, both of them married and jolly friends of her father’s. She had not minded in the least, but did not intend to be caught by a man she already distrusted.
‘Do not mind him, Mary,’ she whispered. ‘He has been drinking all evening.’
Mary did not answer but shook her head as he called her name and continued up the stairs with her sister.
‘He leaves after nuncheon tomorrow,’ she said. ‘Gerald told me that he would not have brought him had he not arrived unexpected yesterday and thrown himself on his mercy for Christmas. Apparently, they knew each other in the army but have not met since he sold out and came home. Gerald knows nothing wrong of him, but does not include him in his intimate friends.’
‘It would have been as well if he had sent him away,’ Annabel said, ‘but I suppose out of charity at this time of year he could not.’
She glanced back as they reached the top of the stairs and saw that Major Goss had come out into the hall. He sent one look at her and then addressed Mr Savage. Having his assurance that he would make no trouble in her uncle’s house, she assumed it was merely some chance remark and went down the hall and into the room she was sharing with Mary. The sisters then undressed, sharing the services of the maid who had attended them.
‘Goodnight, dearest,’ Mary said as she climbed into bed and blew out her candle. ‘Do not worry yourself. I dare say we shall not see Mr Savage again once he leaves here.’
Annabel blew out her own candle and turned on her side, but did not sleep. Mary did not know as much as she did, and she could not tell her – at least until they were home again.
She wished that Major Goss had been one of the gentlemen to kiss her under the mistletoe, but sadly, though he had been everything that was polite he had paid her little attention, his time taken up by his host’s children. However, he had promised to call soon and she might have more time with him then.
She fell gradually asleep, wondering what the mystery could be concerning Mr Savage, for she was certain there was one and it made her uneasy. Yet, she was sure that whatever it was, Major Goss would do all that he could to protect Annabel and her sister.
Now why should they need protecting from Mr Savage?
She had no idea but she’d felt a certain menace in his look and was glad that Major Goss seemed to know something concerning him that he might use to their advantage.
The ladies did not come down until noon the next morning, when they partook of a light nuncheon with their aunt, uncle and cousins and those guests that remained. Mr Savage and Gerald Harlow had already departed, also Major Goss. After so much merriment the previous evening the meal was a little subdued though everyone was content.
Lord Savage took his daughters, also Lydia and Jane, away with him after nuncheon and their carriage set out for home by two o’clock. The mist of the previous day had quite cleared away and the journey progressed easily. They were home before four and tea was brought to the drawing room.
‘Well, we shall seem a little quiet here when your cousins go to London,’ Lord Savage said. ‘It is but a few days until we have our own guests so I hope you will be content until then, Mary, and you too, Annabel. However, it may cheer you that Mr Savage has made his intention of calling upon us soon known to me.’ He beamed at his daughters, as if expecting them to be delighted. ‘Major Goss too, for he is thinking of settling in the area.’
‘I shall be happy to see Major Goss, Papa,’ Annabel said, ‘but did you quite like our cousin Mr Savage?’
Her father frowned at her, his eyebrows arching. ‘Did you not like him, miss?’
‘I do not know him, Papa, but he made me a trifle uneasy. I do not know why – just something in the way he looked…’
‘Well, if you should find him encroaching in any way…’ her father hesitated, uncertain now. ‘I must admit, I should not have chosen to renew the connection, but one cannot be impolite at Christmas – and we were under your uncle’s roof. My cousin was a disreputable rogue and so I tell you, miss. We fell out over an affair long ago but I did not think the son was like his father for I have heard no ill of him…but if he should distress you, Annabel, I shall send him off.’
‘He has not distressed me, Papa,’ Annabel said, ‘but I think Mary did not quite like some of what he said about her friend Suzy for she thought it impertinent.’
‘Indeed?’ He looked at Mary, who was hesitant in her reply. ‘Suzy tells me everything, Papa. He intimated that they were on close terms but she did not mention him and I feel she would…’
‘Not much in that for she might not have wished you to know she had a beau,’ Lord Savage said and yet he frowned. ‘Had I guessed I should not have invited him to come when he chose to dine with us.’
‘Well, we shall both be careful not to be alone with him,’ Annabel said. ‘And perhaps he will not come…’
The talk was turned to another subject. Lydia and Jane were full of their coming trip to London, for they were off in three days and both as excited as they could stand. The cousins soon put their heads together over bonnets and gowns, and satin slippers, and Mr Savage was quite forgot. Not until they retired each to their own rooms, did Mary follow her sister inside her bedchamber so that they might discuss the situation in private.
‘If he calls when I am at Suzy’s house be careful not to be alone with him,’ Mary warned. ‘I may have more to tell you when I return, but in case he should come make certain Papa is always within call at least.’
‘Yes, do not worry, Mary. I dare say I imagined some of it and – it may be Suzy who should take care, for if he spoke of her so intimately, he may be planning to offer for her.’
‘I wonder…’ Mary frowned. ‘Do you think he knows how the family is situated? They have a fine estate it is true, but Suzy has an elder brother – and her portion is very small, especially now that her father has lost so much money at the card tables. I think her family hope she will marry money, for her portion is not more than a thousand pounds.’
‘Has Mr Savage a fortune?’
‘I have no idea. We should have asked Papa.’
‘I dare say he has little idea of it himself, since he has had nothing to do with his cousin’s family for years.’
The girls could go no further for they were at a loss. Kissing each other goodnight, they parted for at home they were not obliged to share a bed, as they had been at their uncle’s house over Christmas.
Annabel undressed and her maid brushed her hair. She retired to bed but her mind was filled with hopes for the next day, because Major Goss was to call on her and perhaps he would share the secret he had merely hinted at the previous day.
Mary set out at ten o’clock the next morning. Lord Savage had sent her in his coach with coachman and a groom sitting up beside him, and a maid to accompany her on the journey of more than ten miles. Annabel waved to her from the window and sighed. She had not been invited this time, as it was but a small affair and Mary was Suzanne’s closest friend. Indeed, she would not have wished to be absent when Major Goss called, but found it difficult to settle with a book or her sewing. Lydia had gone riding with her fiancé and Jane was busy supervising the packing of their trunks.
By a quarter past the hour of eleven, Annabel had become restless. It was a bright morning and she was tempted to put on a warm pelisse, muffler and bonnet and walk to the village, but decided against it, for there was more than one way that Major Goss might ride here. She hoped that he had not forgot his promise to call but had almost given him up by a quarter to the hour of noon when she saw him ride up to the house and dismount. A groom led away his horse and, by the time he was announced, she was sitting demurely by the fire a book of poetry in her hand. She looked up as he entered and her heart raced.
‘Forgive me if I am late,’ Robert said. ‘It was the most unfortunate thing…some careless gamekeeper fired a shot that startled my horse and he took off on a mad flight. I had to give him his head and then, when he calmed at last, to let him cool down before we continued our journey.’